One of the default features in Windows 7 is the ability to Pin a program (well actually a shortcut) to the taskbar. It a rather handy little feature and one that I have used quite a lot except the other day the option disappeared from the right click context menu on my system.

Besides being a little on the frustrating side I found out just how much I missed the option. So hopping onto Bing I did a little bit of a search and found out that the problem is connected to the removal of the shortcut overlay arrow. Also affected is the ability to drag and drop applications to the Taskbar, which was another thing that was causing me to do a lot of head scratching.

The cause is actually pretty simple once you understand what has happened. One of the most used tweaks when it comes to Windows, and is a staple of tweaking programs, is the removal of that ugly shortcut arrow overlay. Unfortunately with Windows 7 there are some definite unforeseen consequences of using this tweak.

The fix though is equally easy as long as you are comfortable using the Registry Editor. From the Start Menu type in regedit and then click on the link to regedit.exe which should be the only entry.

Once the Registry Editor is open navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile

Then right click on the right pane of the editor and select New -> String Value (REG_SZ) to create a new value.

Name the new registry value as IsShortcut. You don’t need to give it any value data.

Then reboot your machine.

Hopefully that should fix the problem and you will find that the shortcut arrow overlay has returned but so has your Pin to Taskbar option. I’m not sure if this is a bug or not but it would be nice to see a more elegant solution for those people who get hives at the sight of the shortcut arrows.

Thanks to the team at My Digital Life for the tip.